Assistant Director of Nursing - Care Center
Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) – Care Center
Job Title: Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) – Care Center
Location: Lucy Smith King Care Center – Henderson, KY
Reports To: Director of Nursing
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Position Summary
The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) – Care Center provides day-to-day clinical leadership and operational oversight for the Lucy Smith King Care Center. While reporting to the Director of Nursing, this role functions as the primary nursing leader for the inpatient unit, ensuring safe staffing, high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and consistent clinical standards.
The ADON is responsible for maintaining the daily clinical stability of the Care Center, supporting nursing staff, addressing staffing challenges, and serving as the primary escalation point for patient care concerns within the unit.
The ADON provides direct supervision and performance management for all clinical staff assigned to the Care Center, including Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Hospice Care Aides.
This position works closely with the Director of Nursing to align Care Center operations with the organization’s broader clinical strategy while ensuring the inpatient unit functions effectively on a day-to-day basis.
The role reinforces a culture of clinical accountability, leadership presence, and compassionate patient-centered hospice care.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership
- Serve as the primary clinical resource and escalation point for nurses within the Care Center.
- Maintain consistent clinical standards, nursing practices, and adherence to hospice policies and regulatory requirements.
- Provide guidance on symptom management, complex patient care situations, and clinical decision-making.
- Support interdisciplinary collaboration and care planning to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care.
Staffing and Clinical Oversight
- Maintain primary accountability for clinical staffing stability within the Care Center, including responding to call-ins, coverage gaps, and staffing concerns.
- Coordinate staffing adjustments and real-time solutions to ensure safe patient care and appropriate nurse coverage.
- Serve as the primary leadership resource for staffing and patient care issues within the unit, escalating to the Director of Nursing when issues require higher-level intervention.
- Support nursing staff and charge nurses in managing patient assignments and responding to changes in patient acuity.
- Provide direct patient care or assist with clinical coverage when necessary to maintain continuity of care.
To maintain leadership visibility and understanding of overnight operations, the ADON is expected to work during overnight hours within the Care Center at least once per month. This time may include leadership presence, staff support, operational oversight, and clinical assistance as needed.
Staff Leadership and Supervision
- Provide direct supervision for all clinical staff assigned to the Care Center, including Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Hospice Care Aides.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations for Care Center clinical staff in accordance with organizational policies.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to support professional development and strong clinical practice.
- Address performance concerns and participate in disciplinary processes when necessary in collaboration with the Director of Nursing and Human Resources.
- Participate in recruitment, interviewing, and hiring decisions for Care Center clinical staff.
- Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and teamwork within the Care Center clinical team.
Quality and Compliance
- Assist with chart audits and documentation review to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Support survey readiness and regulatory preparedness.
- Monitor adherence to hospice Conditions of Participation and organizational clinical policies.
- Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.
Collaboration and Care Coordination
- Support coordination between inpatient staff, physicians, and the interdisciplinary team.
- Assist with clinical decision-making related to admissions, symptom management, and care transitions when needed.
- Work collaboratively with operational and administrative team members to ensure smooth unit function while maintaining focus on clinical priorities.
Qualifications
Education
- Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred.
Licensure
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Kentucky.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Experience
- Minimum of 3–5 years of nursing experience.
- Hospice or palliative care experience strongly preferred.
- Prior leadership or charge nurse experience strongly preferred.
Key Attributes
- Strong leadership and team development skills.
- Ability to guide and support clinical staff in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of hospice regulations and standards of care.
- Excellent communication and clinical problem-solving abilities.
- Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered hospice care.
- Demonstrates ownership of unit concerns and ensures issues are addressed or appropriately escalated.
- Maintains a leadership presence that stays connected to bedside care realities.
- Promotes accountability, teamwork, and a culture of respect and professionalism.
Growth Potential
This role is designed to support the continued development of clinical leadership within the Care Center. Over time, the Assistant Director of Nursing may expand into broader leadership responsibilities including:
- Clinical program oversight and development within the inpatient unit.
- Quality and compliance leadership.
- Strategic planning for inpatient hospice services.
- Succession planning for senior clinical leadership roles.
M-F 8:00am to 5:00pm
Salaried
You'll be redirected to
the company's application page